Luckin Coffee, one of China’s largest coffee chains, announced its entrance into the unmanned retail market in a bid to further increase its network and get closer to its customers.
The company also launched its smart unstaffed coffee machine “Luckin Coffee Express” and smart vending machine “Luckin Coffee Pop MINI” at its strategy conference held in Beijing.
The unmanned terminal devices will be installed in various locations including office buildings, campuses, airports, bus terminals, petrol stations and highway service stations, according to the company.
By working closely with its global suppliers, Luckin Coffee said it can enable its customers to enjoy the convenience of vending machines and lower prices.
Jenny Qian, CEO of Luckin Coffee, said the company’s unmanned retail network, store footprint and e-commerce channels have formed its omnichannel customer traffic network.
Industry insiders said the unmanned retail strategy will reduce cost, fuel Luckin’s customer acquisition and increase customer purchase frequency. The Xiamen-based, NASDAQ-listed company is a leading coffee chain in China that had operated 4,507 stores in more than 40 cities across the country by the end of 2019.
